Grants totalling £25,000 have now been handed out to deserving people and community projects across Waveney by the Taylor High Memorial Fund, which was set up less than two years ago.

On Boxing Day, friends and family members got together to remember Taylor at the fund’s final fund-raising event of the year at the Ole Frank pub in Oulton which is run by his uncle Glen and cousin Ritchi.

Taylor’s dad, Gary High, told those present that “an incredible” total of £27,707 had now been raised in Taylor’s memory and, of this, all but just over £2,000 had been distributed across Waveney.

When Taylor’s family set up the charitable fund after the 19-year-old’s death in a road crash on the A17 in west Norfolk in March 2011, they were unaware of the huge response it would generate.

But since launching the fund, they have been amazed by people’s generosity and the money is still rolling in.

Last month, a two-day bag pack collection was held at the Tesco store in Gunton – raising £1,979.30.

Taylor’s mum, Elaine, said: “We’d like to thank all the Tesco customers who kindly gave money in exchange for having their bags packed by one of the volunteers. We’d also like to thank all the volunteers, whether they worked for one hour or 18 hours over the two days. Without them we wouldn’t have been able to raise such a brilliant sum.”

This was added to by the final fund-raiser of the year – a Boxing Day raffle – where £215 was collected.

Mrs High said: “Both bars of the Ole Frank were packed to remember Taylor, who is loved by all who knew him.

“Taylor’s friends and family sold raffle tickets for the last fund-raiser of 2012, and we’d like to thank everyone who has taken Taylor’s memory to their hearts and helped in any way by supporting the fund.”

She added: “Every penny of money paid in to the fund goes to deserving people and good causes in the Waveney area and while we have money coming in we will continue to help others in need.”

The memorial fund brought some welcome festive cheer over the Christmas period by making two more donations.

The first went to Urban Fusion – a group of young dancers who perform at charity events – and another to a disadvantaged young man who needed help with equipment and kitchen appliances when he was re-housed.

●For more information on the Taylor High Memorial Fund, visit its page on Facebook.